Thomas “Tom” D. Hitchcock
With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to a truly kind man – a dad, a grandpa, and a good friend to many, with a smile for all and a great sense of humor.
Thomas “Tom” D. Hitchcock passed away Friday, November 5, 2021. Tom was born August 30, 1940 to beloved parents, Walter C. and Valerie M. Hitchcock, in Sandusky, OH. A Mansfield, OH resident for a majority of his life, Tom graduated from Madison High School in Mansfield in 1958. He then received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Ashland College in 1962.
A lifelong and talented musician, music played an important role in Tom’s life. Tom excelled at multiple instruments including alto sax, trumpet, clarinet, and accordion. While in high school and college, Tom played alto sax with the Ten Tones of Mansfield, a 10-piece swing and dance band. He also played with the Percy Hall Band of Mansfield and the Tony Calamello Band of Mt. Vernon. Tom began his career teaching music at Madison Jr. High in Mansfield, then became Band Director at the Clear Fork Valley Local School District. Tom was also a member of the choir at the First Congregational Church of Mansfield for many years.
Tom was an avid swimmer and enjoyed any opportunity to be in a pool. In the late 50’s and early 60’s Tom worked as a lifeguard, instructor, and swim team coach at the Woodland Club of Mansfield. During his last two years there, he also served as Club Manager. In recent years, you could find Tom swimming laps at the YMCA of Mansfield. His kids and grandkids will tell you that no vacation was complete for Tom if it did not involve a swimming pool.
While music continued to play a significant role throughout Tom’s life, he eventually made a career change to work in finance with Montgomery Ward. Tom served Montgomery Ward in a number of cities including Mansfield, OH; Ft. Wayne, IN; Owosso, MI; Grand Rapids, MI, and Rockford, IL.
While in Rockford, Tom combined his finance career with his love of cars and began working in the automobile industry. During the late 70’s and 80’s, Tom served as Finance Manager for several dealerships in Rockford. In the mid 90’s, Tom returned to Mansfield and began working for Whitey’s Auto Mall, now Mansfield Motor Group (MMG). Tom remained at MMG for 30 years only fully retiring in April of this year.
Tom is survived by his daughter Tamara, nee Hitchcock, Gaumond of Rockford, IL; son Craig (Deborah) Hitchcock of Simsbury, CT; grandchildren Olivia Gaumond and Timothy Gaumond, both of Rockford, IL; Sister-in-law Janet Hitchcock of Seminole, FL; niece Kelly (Steve) Ray of Lexington, OH, and their family; nephew Kipp (Cheryl) Hitchcock of Orient, OH. Tom is preceded in death by his mother and father, Walt and Val Hitchcock, and his brother Gary L. Hitchcock.
Tom will be laid to rest in the First Congregational Church of Mansfield Columbarium. The family will be holding a forthcoming Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent in care of Wappner Funeral Directors. The Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is honored to serve the Hitchcock family.
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